BrewBalls

I think both Peralta and Burnes might end the season in the rotation with the latter considered a TOR compliment to Woodruff. It appears the pitching lab has helped Corbin redefine his approach. https://www.brewcrewball.com/2020/2/13/21136741/brewers-spring-training-corbin-burnes-pitching-rotation-slider “ Much of the blame was his approach, which focused on a high-spin fastball that should be much better than it actually is. Despite possessing one of the better sliders in the game, Burnes continued to rely on his fastball — and throwing it low in the zone, which is an especially bad place to throw a high-spin fastball, due to how far it can travel. He even seemed defensive at times last season, trying to say he needed to throw the fastball before he could use his much better slider. It appears that’s going to change this year. On top of rumors in the winter that Burnes has been reworking his mechanics, it sounds like he’s been shown the light by the Brewers’ analytics department and the much-hyped “pitching lab.” Talking to reporters today, he says he’s almost completely scrapped his fastball-first approach from last season, and plans to instead base everything around his knockout slider this year.“ Considering Burnes had the highest ceiling of out trio of young hurlers I’m optimistic he can get back to his 2018 form. If come September our rotation is Woodruff, Burnes, Peralta, Anderson and one of Lindblom/Lauer/Houser we should be in contention to win the NL Central and make a deep playoff run.

I think both Peralta and Burnes might end the season in the rotation with the latter considered a TOR compliment to Woodruff. It appears the pitching lab has helped Corbin redefine his approach. https://www.brewcrewball.com/2020/2/13/21136741/brewers-spring-training-corbin-burnes-pitching-rotation-slider “ Much of the blame was his approach, which focused on a high-spin fastball that should be much better than it actually is. Despite possessing one of the better sliders in the game, Burnes continued to rely on his fastball — and throwing it low in the zone, which is an especially bad place to throw a high-spin fastball, due to how far it can travel. He even seemed defensive at times last season, trying to say he needed to throw the fastball before he could use his much better slider. It appears that’s going to change this year. On top of rumors in the winter that Burnes has been reworking his mechanics, it sounds like he’s been shown the light by the Brewers’ analytics department and the much-hyped “pitching lab.” Talking to reporters today, he says he’s almost completely scrapped his fastball-first approach from last season, and plans to instead base everything around his knockout slider this year.“ Considering Burnes had the highest ceiling of out trio of young hurlers I’m optimistic he can get back to his 2018 form. If come September our rotation is Woodruff, Burnes, Peralta, Anderson and one of Lindblom/Lauer/Houser we should be in contention to win the NL Central and make a deep playoff run.

*If the Selig’s still owned the team... C: Freitas 1B: Morrison 2B: Mathias SS: Rodriguez 3B: Healy LF: Ray CF: Taylor RF: Broxton Lineup: Taylor, Broxton, Ray, Healy, Morrison, Mathias, Freitas, Rodriguez Davey Lopes: “I think we might have two of three potential all-stars”

I think this is a great point. Getting quality at-bats/production from the bottom of our lineup reminds me of the 2018 playoff run where it was guys like Arcia, Kratz, Pina and Santana who were providing the timely hits and majority of the offense. I’m not saying we don’t need good seasons from Yelich, Cain, Braun, Garcia and Narvaez just that having players producing in the bottom of the lineup can alleviate a lot of pressure off our big guns. On a side note, the addition of Holt only adds more versatility and options for CC while filling the void left when Urias got injured. Overall I give Stearns a ton of credit for building a competitive roster after losing out on the top FA in an overpriced market and having to cut ties with over half of last year’s roster. Even though we lack the big names of 2019, this is a much deeper group who if managed properly should keep the Brewers in contention heading into September.

What is your reasoning that Houser is better suited for a pen role vs a rotation role? Based on his career splits splits he tends to be more dominant as a reliever and struggles when facing the line up a third time and when he throws over 51 pitches SP = 80.2 IP, 4.57 ERA, 1.351 WHIP, 116 tOPS+ RP = 46.1 IP, 1.94 ERA, 1.122 WHIP, 69 tOPS+ 1st PA in G, as SP .252/.350/.360 and a tOPS+ = 102 2nd PA in G, as SP .244/.288/.427 tOPS+ = 100 3rd PA in G, as SP .364/.391/.727 tOPS+ = 208 1st PA in G, as RP .203/.292/.297 tOPS+ = 68 2nd PA in G, as RP .222/.300/.333 tOPS+ = 79 Pitch Count 51-75 = .255/.300/.479 75-100 = .351/.368/.622 FYI i realize this is a small sample size to go off off but clearly he gets exposed the longer he stays in the game and due to the new rule changes for batters faced i would like to have a few pitchers in the bullpen who are capable of going multiple innings.

Since Stearns has focused on upgrading the roster 1-26 this offseason he should be all over a trade involving Stripling and Pederson. Stripling adds more depth and upside to the rotation/bullpen (depending on where he’s placed) and Pederson is a significant upgrade over Gamel who can start the season in AAA. Like others I’m not sure what the motive is from the Dodgers perspective but I’m guessing it’s not just a straight salary dump but a way to add some more prospects to an already loaded farm system. I’m curious if a package of Lutz and Rasmussen would get it done. Neither need to be added to the 40 man roster. If this isn’t an issue I could see them being interested in guys like Wahl, Black and Feyereisen instead of Rasmussen.

I think this signing will be viewed as a below the radar one come mid-season. Phelps is a quality reliever who should provide another go to option late in games who can hold a lead and allow Hader and Knebel days off.

I have a feeling Stearns might look into acquiring Price at the trade deadline if Boston is willing to eat a significant potion of his salary in his final two years (say $30MM). In return for doing so, the Brewers could take on most if not all of his remaining salary in 2020 (~$16MM) to help Boston get under the tax threshold. Its a great way to add a impact player without having to give up a huge prospect haul while leaving the Brewers on the hook for $17MM per over the final two years.

Like others have said, I wish JJ the best but quietly am hoping he implodes in Chicago and gets cut so Stearns can swoop in and have him return to form and be part of the three headed monster one last time. Why do I feel JJ is the new version of K-Rod who always wound up back on the team and came up big down the stretch?

Well said. Obviously nobody knows how things are going to play out but they have done what it takes to put themselves in a good spot. The lineup should rake in that park and they have a very nice rotation along with solid closer. Cardinals lineup appears to be weaker and Cubs have done nothing and lost their manager. In my opinion Brewers with just a slight uptick in investment would have been the clear favorites. I respect Counsell and what he can do but a few additional horses would have been huge. There still is a significant chance the Brewers will have a decent uptick in investment before the trade deadline once the dust has settled and he sees which players haven't panned out like anticipated. Too many fans wan to spend their entire wad during the offseason because by doing so they can fit more big name players in their mock offseason projections. But in reality you cannot bank on any signing to produce like they have in the past due to freak injuries, slumps or regression. Hence why the smart move is to allow for some in season financial flexibility for making necessary adjustments on the fly.

I would like to see them add Walker to push which will likely push Houser to the pen where I think he is better suited.

Wow!!! I wasn't expecting him to get this much even on a one year deal but I can see why AA went this route after missing out on Donaldson. Atlanta has done a great job adding to their roster this offseason.

Kyle Seager says "Hi". just need Dipoto to eat $12 million and have Kyle agree his option remains a team one.

I don’t see much of a chance that Hudson signs for $5 million over 2 years though. I see Hudson getting at least $5 million per over two years the way the reliever market has gone thus far.

I would like Stearns to take a flyer on Danny Hultzen. If he can find a way to stay healthy his stuff is still quite electric. A minor league deal with invite to ST should be enough to sign him.

Can we sign Brock Holt and Neil Walker so CC can draw names out of a hat each day to see which guys will be in the starting lineup?

I like this depth signing. He’s much more of a proven entity than you normally get especially when he still hasn’t 3 options remaining. He could also be a beneficial power bat off the bench but agree it’s more likely he’s cheap insurance if someone goes down.

A couple other free agents who could be on Stearns radar are guys like Brock Holt, Matt Duffy, Jedd Gyorko and Starlin Castro. On the trade side, JD Davis is also an option.

I can’t remember where I saw it but someone broke down starts as the following. Braun: 112 in 2019, 60 @ 1B and 52 in LF Yelich: 142 in RF (includes days off and missing time from back issues) Cain: 140 in CF Garcia: 100 in LF, 10 in RF, 5 in CF Gamel gets the remaining 37 starts go to Gamel

I believe others have mentioned this before in other threads but Stearns doesn’t build his rosters with a traditional thought process of the corner IF and OF positions need to all hit for above average power. If Narvaez and Hiura both provide significantly above average power why can’t you put someone at 3B who gets on base at a high clip and provides excellent defense? Don’t these two things offset one another in the overall production of your offense? As for the players I would target to play first and third; one of Eric Thames or Dominic Smith along with Kyle Seager (SEA pays $10MM) or Asdrubel Cabrera. Who are you giving up to get Seager? He didn’t exactly suck last year and to throw in ten million in cash the Mariners would be looking to get real talent in return. Anyone not named Turang, Lutz or Small. I bet Zack Brown would get Dipoto’s attention.

Any GM would love this too because pitchers who has high K rates AND GB% are considered TOR or ace caliber pitchers. My point was if I had to choose one area a starting pitcher was considered elite it would be weak contact/GB% over their ability to miss bats. Especially when playing at Miller Park.

I believe others have mentioned this before in other threads but Stearns doesn’t build his rosters with a traditional thought process of the corner IF and OF positions need to all hit for above average power. If Narvaez and Hiura both provide significantly above average power why can’t you put someone at 3B who gets on base at a high clip and provides excellent defense? Don’t these two things offset one another in the overall production of your offense? As for the players I would target to play first and third; one of Eric Thames or Dominic Smith along with Kyle Seager (SEA pays $10MM) or Asdrubel Cabrera.

I would argue that they did get someone like Dallas when they signed Brett Anderson. Both left handed, both are 31. Looking at last year, era is similar (Kuechel slightly lower), whip is similar (Anderson is slightly lower). For those who look at won loss record (I generally don't) Anderson had a 59% w/l record (13-9), Kuechel 50% (8-8). Are you saying you would like a second pitcher like Anderson. Not that I don't want Kuechel, but it isn't like he is an ace. I personally wouldn’t mind having a second ground-ball starting pitcher in the rotation. I believe limiting the long balls while playing in a hitter‘s park will help them win more games next season.

But then doesn't that say that maybe they were wrong on how they projected them?? That's what I mean, they have almost no margin for error if/when they are wrong on someone. Also, I'm not sure you should be "applauding" them making the playoffs, you sir were the absolute most vocal one on these boards that they should be selling. I hope you will agree how wrong that decision would have been, right?? You NEVER EVER sell and always add unless you are so far out of it it's obvious you need to sell. I think you are arguing against the very thing you keep stating. You continuously bring up that Stearns has little room for error but as Brew4U points out above, his projections for a large number of his players were significantly off causing him to make a lot of adjustments during the season. I would argue paying one player $25-30MM per year would create even less room for error because he would then be forced to either spend less/gamble more in other areas or max out his payroll in the offseason and be left with minimal flexibility to make adjustments in season when (not if because we all know things will always come up which need to be addressed) players get injured or underperform.

I’m glad you brought up Ramirez. He was a good for his first two seasons but was dead weight in the final year of his contract which is the major issue with depending heavily on signing big name/proven players via free agency. Almost all top name free agents are on the back end of their prime years and are wanting their first big payday to be reflection of their past production which means you are paying a player prime AAV salaries for what constitutes as a couple prime years and their initial deciding ones. Braun is another example of this. If you compare his numbers to other corner OFs in the league he would still be considered slightly above league average but since he is getting paid $17MM per it significantly negates his value. Having much less room for error, Stearns can not operate with multiple players like this. Even teams with much higher revenue like the Cubs, Yankees and Red Sox are finding themselves in binds due to these types of contracts (Heyward, Yu, Lester, CC, Elsbury, Happ, Price, Evoldi, Pedrioa). So regardless of how big your market/budget, these types of contracts are becoming major deterrents to front offices. There is a reason the previous two offseasons teams were not willing to shell out long term deals to 2nd and 3rd tier players like in the past. The analytics were showing how even though you were getting a few prime years the overall value was still considered to be negative value. I believe the reason we are seeing teams overspending this year is because the owners are afraid the players’ union would argue the owners were in collusion and trying to devalue the majority of MLB players since they are willing to spend big on the few elite players who hit free agency.